Page 36 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

EIGHT

RAPID CITY

SHANE

I sitat Krystal's rustic dining table, the scent of home-cooked food filling the air. Ashanti chatters away, her enthusiasm infectious. I can't help but smile, caught up in the warmth of this makeshift family dinner.

"And then Mr. Shane taught me how to break a hold," Ashanti says, demonstrating the move with her fork. "It was so cool!"

Krystal's eyes dart to mine, a mix of gratitude and concern in her gaze. "Is that right? I hope you're only using those moves on Mr. Shane."

I clear my throat. "Of course. Self-defense only, right, Ashanti?"

The girl nods vigorously. "Yes, sir!"

I can't shake the feeling that something's off with Krystal as we eat. Her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, and she keeps glancing at her phone. I want to ask what's wrong, but I hold back. We're still dancing around the edges of whatever this is between us.

"So, Mr. Shane," Ashanti pipes up, "are you gonna stay here forever?"

The question catches me off guard. I look at Krystal, but she's suddenly very interested in her plate. "I, uh... I'm not sure, kiddo. I'm here for now, though."

Ashanti's face falls slightly. "Oh. Okay. Let's take a picture."

Ashanti grabs her phone and snaps a picture with me on one side and her other on the other. "I'll send it to you guys."

The conversation moves on, but the question lingers. How long can I keep up this charade? The longer I stay, the deeper I'm falling for both of them. And the harder it'll be when the truth comes out.

Ashanti bounds off to pack for her sleepover at Hailey's as we finish dinner. Krystal starts clearing the table, and I stand to help.

"You don't have to do that," she says, but I'm already gathering plates.

"I want to," I reply, following her to the kitchen. I step closer as she runs the water, drawn to her like a magnet. "Krystal, is everything okay? You seem... distracted."

She tenses, then forces a smile. "I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

I don't believe her for a second, but I don't push. Instead, I make a split-second decision. "Listen, I was thinking... Ashanti's going to be at Hailey's all weekend, right?"

Krystal nods, eyeing me suspiciously.

"How about we get out of here for a couple days? There's a nice hotel in Rapid City. We could do some shopping, have a nice dinner..."

The words hang in the air between us. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. Part of me expects her to shut me down immediately, to retreat behind those walls she's built so high.

But to my surprise, she hesitates. I see the conflict in her eyes, the desire warring with fear. Finally, she nods. "Okay. Yeah, I'd like that."

Relief and excitement flood through me. "Great. I'll make the arrangements."

As I step away to call the hotel, my phone buzzes. It's Noah again. I silence it, pushing away the guilt. I know I can't avoid my family forever, but right now, all I want is this weekend with Krystal.

An hour later, we're on the road to Rapid City. Krystal's quiet, staring out the window as the South Dakota landscape rolls by. I want to reach out and take her hand, but I hold back. There's still so much unsaid between us.

"You okay?" I ask, breaking the silence.

She turns to me, a small smile on her lips. "Yeah. Just... thinking."

"About what?"

She shrugs. "Life. Ashanti. The future." She pauses, then adds softly, "Us."

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